Musical programs, pageants and parades are in abundance as Central Missouri prepares to celebrate the holiday season.
Among the many celebrations are:
Today
7 p.m., Advent worship service at St. John's Lutheran Church (Stringtown), Lohman.
7:15 p.m., Advent worship service at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, California.
Friday
6-10 p.m., Journey to Bethlehem at Capital City Christian Church, parking at 1432 Southwest Blvd., Jefferson City.
Saturday
6-10 p.m., Journey to Bethlehem at Capital City Christian Church, parking at 1432 Southwest Blvd., Jefferson City.
10 a.m., 66th annual Russellville Lions Club Christmas Parade, downtown Russellville.
3:30 p.m., "Best Christmas Pageant Ever," a children's Christmas play. Hosted by the Camden County Museum, Linn Creek. Cost $5 per family, 573-346-7191, www.camdencountymuseum.org.
Sunday
10 a.m., Christmas Cantata at St. John's Lutheran Church (Stringtown), Lohman.
10:30 a.m., children's Christmas program at Russellville Baptist Church, Russellville.
2 p.m., "Candlelight and Carols," a concert by the Greater Lake Area Chorale, at New Life Nazarene Church, Camdenton.
5:30 p.m., Advent dinner and vespers at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Lohman.
6 p.m., "Christmas with the Blackwoods," a free Christmas concert featuring the Blackwood Quartet at the First Church of God, 1614 Southwest Blvd., Jefferson City.
6 p.m., Christmas music program at First Baptist Church, California.
7 p.m., the Lake Area Community Orchestra will perform at Versailles Royal Theatre, Versailles.
7 p.m., Christmas program at Salem United Church of Christ, McGirk.
7 p.m., adult choir program Russellville Baptist Church, Russellville.
Monday
7 p.m., "Candlelight and Carols," a concert by the Greater Lake Area Chorale, at Versailles United Methodist Church, Versailles.
Dec. 13
7 p.m., Capitol Caroling Concert at the Missouri State Capitol will feature the Jefferson City High School choir, symphonic band and symphonic orchestra.
7 p.m., the Lake Area Community Orchestra will perform at Lake Ozark Christian Church, Lake Ozark.
Dec. 14
6-9 p.m., Eldon Ministerial Alliance Tour of Our Churches, donations benefit Eldon Ministerial Alliance Benevolence Funds. 6 p.m. First Assembly, 6:30 p.m. Methodist, 7 p.m. Sacred Heart, 7:30 p.m. Bethany, 8 p.m. Ninth Street, 8:30 p.m. First Christian and 9 p.m. First Baptist.
6-8 p.m., Living Nativity at the Nazarene Church, Eldon.
7 p.m., parish penance service at St. Martins Catholic Church, St. Martins.
7 p.m., Sacrament of Reconciliation at St. Michael's Parish, Russellville.
7 p.m., Advent worship service at St. John's Lutheran Church (Stringtown), Lohman.
7:15 p.m., Advent worship service at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, California.